Checker.



Patented Dec. 2,1902. F. R. MEASE.

GHEGKER.

(Agplicaticn filed. Oct. 17, 1901.)

(No Modell) w JW; 1

UNTTED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

FRANK R. MEASE, OF FREEPORT, ILLINOIS.

CHECKER.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 714,930, dated December2, 1902.

Application filed October 17, 1901. Serial No. 78,973. (No model.)

To all whm/ it may concern.-

Be it known that I, FRANK R. MEAsE, a citizen of the United States,residing at Freeport, in the county of Stephenson and State of Illinois,have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Checkers,of whichthe following is a specification.

The object of this invention is to provide a new and improvedconstruction of checker with which the ordinary and well-known game ofcheckers may be played and in addition thereto certain new andinteresting variations of said game.

Briefly stated, the invention comprises a checker formed of two parts,one of which carries a numeral or other character and the other of whichparts is adapted to fit over the said first-named part in such manner asto conceal said character or numeral from view,

the two parts referred to constituting when combined a single checker.

In the accompanying drawings, Figure l is an isometrical representationof my checker. Fig. 2 is an isometrical representation of the baseportion of the checker. Fig. 3 is an isometrical representation of thecap portion of the checker. Fig. 4: is a vertical section of thechecker. Fig. 5 is an isometrical representation of two of my improvedcheckers when used as a king.

My improved checker consists of two parts the base portion 1 and cap 2,removably fitted thereto-the said parts when combined constituting asingle checker. .The base portion has a central projection 3, and thecap has a recess 4 to receive the projection. When the cap is placedover the projection, a connection is formed between the parts, so thatthe checker can be used as an ordinary checker. On the end of theprojection 3 is placed the numeral 1, which is covered when the'cap isplaced over the projection. It is evident that other characters might beused in place of the numeral, the object of the cap being to cover andconceal the character until the move has been made.

In addition to the game of checkers by placing numbers or letters on theprojection 3, which are concealed by the cap,when a man has been jumpedupon removing the cap, if, for instance, the numeral 1 is shown theparty making the move can remove another man not a king from the board,if the numeral 2 be shown two men can be removed, and if a king be showna king can be removed.

I am aware that ordinary checkers have numerals or characters on theirunder face, also on their top face, but am not aware that a singlechecker has been made in two parts, one part having a numeral orcharacter which is concealed by the two parts of the checker beingplaced together.

At Fig. 5 is shown two of my improved checkers, one placed on the other,forming a king. In this instance the king comprises four parts-two baseportions and two caps, and the projections of the base portions having anumeral or character.

' In assembling the two parts of the checker I prefer to provide a closefit between said parts, so that the one will be frictionally locked tothe other in such manner that when the uppermost part is grasped, as inthe act of jumping or moving the checker, the under or lowermost partwill be held thereto solely by said frictional connection. It will thusbe seen that the checkers may be moved about and lifted during play bysimply grasping the upper part, and the two parts will remain intact,thus preventing an accidental exposure of the numeral or character thatis concealed between the two parts of the checker, which exposure woulddetract from the amusement of the game. It will be understood, ofcourse, that the checkers are reversible.

I claim as my invention 1. A checker comprising a base portion and a capfrictionally locked thereto, the said base and cap when combined,forming a single checker.

2. A checker comprising a base portion having a central projectioncarrying a numeral or character on its upper face, and a cap providedwith a socket or bore arranged to closely fit said projection tofrictionally lock the parts together and cover the numeral or character,the said base and cap when combined, forming a single checker.

3. In the game commonly known ascheckers,a set of checker-men, each mancomprising a base and a cap removabl y attached thereto, one of theparts of each checker-man being provided with a numeral or characterwhich is concealed from View when the two parts comprising a single manare attached, the numerals or characters on some of the checkermendiffering from those on other checkermen.

4. In the game commonly known as checkers, a set of checker-men, eachchecker-man comprising a base, and a cap removably attached thereto, insuch manner that when the cap is grasped to lift a checker-man, as inthe act of jumping or moving, the base will be carried by said cap, oneof the parts of each checker-man being provided with a numeral orcharacter which is concealed from View when the parts are attached, saidnumerals or characters on some of the checker- FRANK R. MEASE.

Witnesses:

F. E. SERPAss, H. H. ANTRIM.

